Highlights
- See the Manuscript Museum in Yerevan, one of the world's oldest cities
- Explore 2000-year-old Garni Temple, Armenia's last remaining pagan temple
- Visit 10th-century Sevanavank Monastery on Sevan Lake, the "Blue Pearl"
- Discover Armenia's Christian history at 4th-century Cathedral of Ejmiatsin
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival | Yerevan |
| Day 2 | Yerevan- Ejmiatsin – Zvartnoc - Yerevan | Yerevan |
| Day 3 | Yerevan – Khor Virap –Noravank – Areni - Yerevan | Yerevan |
| Day 4 | Yerevan - Sevan –Dilijan | Dilijan |
| Day 5 | Dilijan - Alaverdi – Sanahin – Haghpat – Yerevan | Yerevan |
| Day 6 | Yerevan | Yerevan |
| Day 7 | Yerevan - Garni – Geghard - Yerevan | Yerevan |
| Day 8 | Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Armenia! Arrive in the Zvartnoc airport and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Yerevan- Ejmiatsin – Zvartnoc-Yerevan
After breakfast head out to start your tour to the centuries-old monuments of Ejmiatsin and Zvartnots. The Cathedral of Ejmiatsin, founded in 303 CE, is the official residence of the Catholics of Armenia. Continue the trip to 7th-century Zvartnots Temple, then head back to Yerevan for a traditional welcome dinner with folk music.
Day 3: Yerevan - Khor Virap - Noravank - Areni - Yerevan
Start your day with a visit to Khor Virap Monastery, founded in the 4th century. The monastery once imprisoned Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia's patron saint, who brought Christianity to Armenia. Enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Ararat, then continue the tour to Norovank, a 12th-century monastery situated among sheer rocks on the banks of a steep gorge.
On your way back to Yerevan stop in the small village of Areni, a famous center of wine production, to sample local wines and enjoy a delicious lunch in a local home.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Yerevan -Sevan - Dilijan
Drive to Sevan Lake, the largest body of water in Armenia. Visit the Sevanavank Monastery, one of two 10th-century monasteries built on the Lake Sevan peninsula. Continue the drive to the small town of Dilijan, known as the "Little Switzerland of Armenia". Enjoy an evening walk along Sharamberyan Street, a popular walking avenue lined with museums, souvenir markets, and small shops.
Day 5: Dilijan - Alaverdi – Sanahin – Haghpat – Yerevan
Today you will visit two architectural masterpieces of the 10th-14th centuries—the adjacent Sanahin and Haghpat monasteries. In Armenian "Sanahin" means "this one is older than the other", which infers that the Sanahin monastery is older than nearby Haghpat. The two buildings are located on an uneven plateau and are separated by a deep crack in the earth formed by a small river which flows into the Debed River.
Enjoy touring the Haghpat Monastery, which was one of the largest religious, cultural, and education centers in medieval Armenia. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then head back to Yerevan.
Day 6: Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city in Armenia and sits on the Hrazdan River. Head out to see the city sights on a tour in the morning. Your stops will include the Republic Square, Mashtoc Avenue, and the Opera House. Visit the History Museum to learn about the history of the city and the founding fortress of Erebuni, built in 782 BCE, then continue to see the Manuscript Museum of Armenia, where many of the ancient manuscripts are kept.
In the afternoon head to the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Park and the museum for the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a local traditional restaurant.
Day 7: Yerevan - Garni - Geghard - Yerevan
After breakfast take a local trip to the 1st-century Pagan Temple of Garni, the only one remaining from Armenia's pagan past. It was restored in 1975 after suffering damage during an earthquake 300 years prior.
Continue to 13th-century Geghard Monastery, which derives its name from the legendary lance used to impale Christ. Afterward, head to a local house to participate in making lavash—Armenia's national bread—in a traditional tonir ground oven. Enjoy a lunch of lavash and cheese before returning to Yerevan.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home. Travel safe!